Ovum (noun)

1. A female reproductive cell in animals and plants; an egg.
2. A mature female gamete in flowering plants; an ovule before fertilization.

Origin:

Late latin, from latin ovum 'egg', from pie root *owi- 'egg'.

Examples:

1. The ovum is fertilized by a sperm and develops into a zygote.
2. The ovum is much larger than the sperm and contains all the nutrients necessary for the development of a new organism.
3. The ovum of the chicken is considered a delicacy in many cultures.
4. The ovum is surrounded by a protective layer called the zona pellucida.
5. The ovum is usually released from the ovary during ovulation.